Nicklas Lidstrom has been roaming the blue line in Detroit for as long as I can possibly remember. Since around 1998 or so, I exclusively use the curve of his hockey blade on my own sticks. It's tough to imagine hockey without

Nicklas Lidstrom's retirement isn't just a loss for the Detroit Red Wings and their fans. It's a loss for the entire hockey world. Follow @SBNationNHL.

The Red Wings' site and Fox Sports Detroit has some great videos up celebrating Nicklas Lidstrom.

And while he has often made life difficult for 'my' team, the Washington Capitals, my favorite player during the last 20 years has been Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings. Yes, it may have something to do with the fact that he is a Swede,